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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay for a broken window?

142 replies

Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 08:59

So, my 11 boy was out playing with his friends when one friend kicked a stone and it hit his neighbours window.

The other boys mother knocks on my door and says as they were all together its only fair cost to repair window should be split three ways.

Window woman was given my number and text me last night.

What would you do?

The cost to me would be €70.

OP posts:
BoneyBackJefferson · 09/12/2017 10:45

It's TRIPLE GLAZED and it was broken so easily?

It doesn't have to be big and heavy to break a window, just the right shape and force in the correct place.

Look at life hammers as an example.

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:46

The fourth boy that saw what happened wasn't with them. He was on the green opposite and was just watching them doing tricks on their scooters.

OP posts:
ButchyRestingFace · 09/12/2017 10:46

but your son and the third boy were both very clear on what happened,

No, the third boy's parents have paid up. They have obviously accepted that their son was involved in some way and should pay.

The OP's son's witness is a FOURTH boy, who was apparently not involved in the action, and whose version of events seems to indicate that boy A broke the window on purpose. Which is a new spin on the original story.

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:49

My son did say that night c aimed for the window but I didn't give it any thought as I didn't think I would hear anything and if I say that to homeowner they'll think I'm back tracking.

OP posts:
SD1978 · 09/12/2017 10:50

But your son initially said he kicked the stone (other boy) but now is saying deliberately chucked it? That’s a pretty big difference. Why didn’t he tell you that initially? That the other boy picked up and threw a stone? It’s hrs, if you don’t feel he’s responsible, that’s your right, but if it also means he loses his friendship group, I’d peobablt consider that in the paying/not paying decision.

gamerchick · 09/12/2017 10:50

I know I have a crack in one of mine. But that was full force deliberate rather than the accident in the opening post. so somethings not adding up. I'd be wanting to see this window as to pretty obvious the OP is going to roll over and cough up anyway.

I'd be stopping him playing with these kids as well now their parents know they can get money out of me.

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:50

No, the fourth boy is saying that.

OP posts:
HeebieJeebies456 · 09/12/2017 10:51

if it's just the single\ outside pane that's cracked then it should be a lot cheaper to repair\replace than the quote given by the neighbour.......

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:52

My son hasn't played with two boys since it happened as the boy that did it has been grounded since.

OP posts:
Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:53

No I'm not going to roll over and pay.

OP posts:
Twofishfingers · 09/12/2017 10:54

I would pay. You don't know the full story - maybe the boys were egging each other on and all had a go at kicking stones/throwing stones and one had the misfortune of breaking a window.

I would always assume, that if something like this happened, my DS wouldn't be blameless.

SD1978 · 09/12/2017 10:54

Does your son back up the other boys version now? After initially telling you that the other boy kicked the stone?

Mumof56 · 09/12/2017 10:56

he said he saw the boy pick up a stone, aim it at the house, throw it and heard him say I broke a window
Picked it up and threw it

When I closed the door my son turned and said to me it was c mammy, he kicked the stone

or kicked it
Hmm Someone's lying

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:56

SD no different version.

OP posts:
WhoWants2Know · 09/12/2017 10:58

Have you told the boy’s parents that an outside witness says he deliberately broke the window?

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 10:59

I just spoke to my son he said a kicked a stone, c threw it aiming for the window. A was just kicking a stone waiting for his turn to do a trick. My boy was doing the trick. Boy number 4 was watching them and saw what happened.

OP posts:
Mumof56 · 09/12/2017 11:00

So c didn't kick the stone, despite what your son told you Hmm

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 11:01

No I haven't told them. I only spoke to him this morning. I will though and hopefully they'll give the other parent her 70 euro back.

OP posts:
daisypond · 09/12/2017 11:01

I don't think you can just repair the outside pane of a double-glazed window. They're sealed - you have to repair the whole window. I've got double-glazed windows and managed to crack the inside pane of two of mine quite easily by accident.

SD1978 · 09/12/2017 11:02

Do you think this other boy would back up your version? Or be seen as reliable? Did your son kick a stone at all, as boy A did? If you can get the forth boy to confirm that C did it on purpose, then I wouldn’t be paying anything. If outside witness isn’t willing to, or his parents aren’t willing to get him involved, I’d imagine that makes things tougher. Have you spoken to boy A’s parents who have paid, or is it just the boys who are friends and not the parents?

Twopeapods · 09/12/2017 11:08

You need to speak to the boys mother again. And tell her that it was her son that broke the window, and there is another witness that says the same thing. And see what comes back from that.

DinkyDaisy · 09/12/2017 11:11

In year 7 my child had some issues round friendship group and kids fibbing their arses off to protect themselves. Parents have a tendency to believe their children. I am no exception though am wiser than I used to be....
Point I want to make is parents end up falling out over kids issues. It never ends well. The window is a complicating factor here.
In my situation, come year 8, friendship groups had shuffled and touch wood- all calmer.
11/12 year olds can be defensive little sods who will throw all and sundry under a bus to protect themselves...

butterfly56 · 09/12/2017 11:27

Right so A was kicking a stone about waiting to do a trick on scooter
Your son was doing trick on his scooter
C actually aimed and threw a stone at the window.
Another boy on the green witnessed C throw the stone at the window.

I agree that C and his parents should be liable for the whole bill for the window.
The parents are obviously pulling a fast one here. They probably know full well who actually broke the window but want other people to foot the bill.

Original poster
Myheartbelongsto · 09/12/2017 11:29

It was definitely c and his mother probably knows it too.

OP posts:
WeAreEternal · 09/12/2017 14:52

I would advise the homeowner to go to the police (or the Garda, since I’m guessing you are in Ireland) and ask them to interview your son, C, the third boy and the forth boy who witnessed it and if they determine that your son was partially responsible you will be more than happy to pay for 1/3 rd of the window.